engleski

Influence of global biosecurity and animal welfare changes on dairy cow reproduction in Croatia

The aim of the study is to describe and explain influence of global trends present at biosecurity and animal welfare legislation issues on dairy cow reproduction in Croatia. Namely, during preparation process for EU membership, Croatia faced with many changes. In the same time, situation under field conditions is still very heterologous. There are many small family farms with limited number of cows kept traditionally but also there are big intensive farms with more than hundred animals kept in intensive farming system. Due to low and continously decreasing milk price, farmers are unsatisfied and unmotivated to introduce new technologies and improve production. Furthermore, many of them quit production and number of farms decreases. In the same time legislation is equivocal. From biosecurity point of view, all animals intended for food production should be kept isolated and under strict control. In the same time, animal welfare laws prescribe mandatory conditions for animal rights on movement, freedom, social contact, different stimuli etc. Practically there is no farm to meet such high and different standards. In the same time, opening the borders and spreading the market, thanks to EU will surely introduce new chalenges in means of easier transfer and introduction of new infectious deseases making present situation even more complicated. Veterinary surgeonts face with increased birocracy followed by continous decrease of their scope of work. Although veterinary service in Croatia has long tradition of excellent organisation and control of food from animal origin, there is still a need for interdisciplinary network on regional basis in order to face described new challenges. There is also increased demand for better communication with public which is more and more interested in animal welfare issues, especially for animals kept for products intended for human consumption.

cattle; biosecurity; animal welfare; reproduction

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